The Presentation of the Lord

The Presentation of the Lord

Lk 2: 22 – 40

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Introduction

Today is the feast of the presentation of the Lord in the temple of Jerusalem. As Jesus was presented, he is identified by two prophets who spoke about him as the savior and the light to the gentiles.

Gospel

²² When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;^[a] this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.^{[b] 27} Guided by the Spirit, Simeon^[c] came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon^[d] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ “Master, now you are dismissing your servant^[e] in peace,
    according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon^[f] blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna^[g] the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child^[h] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Reflection

Today’s reading is about the presentation of the Lord in the temple. The presentation is a ritual done in the temple where every first born male child is dedicated to God. Luke, however, not only presents to us some details of this ritual but adds an important element to his narrative. He tells us that Joseph and Mary offered two turtle doves or a pair of pigeons. By writing this detail, he tells us that Joseph and Mary were poor. According to the law, the poor who cannot afford to offer bulls and lambs may offer turtle doves or pigeons instead. This detail tells us that Joseph and Mary would just have been one among the many who were poor just like them who came to the temple to make similar offerings. And just like all the other poor people who came, their presence would have remained unnoticed.

Yet, in the midst of this multitude of pilgrims and devotees who came streaming towards the temple, Joseph and Mary were noticed and singled out by two prophets, Simeon and Anna. Luke tells us that Simeon spotted the child Jesus because he was guided by the Spirit. Similarly, Anna who was described by Luke as a holy woman, was able to identify the child Jesus. 

The identity of the divine cannot remain hidden to those who are open to the Spirit. This openness to the Spirit creates a kind of sensitivity that is borne out of a life spent in listening to the Spirit’s promptings; a sensitivity that does not rely solely on what is seen and visible but mainly on the gentle movements of the Spirit which at times, remain imperceptible to many who don’t take the time to quiet down and listen to the Spirit. This sensitivity to the Spirit allowed Simeon and Anna to identify the child Jesus and speak about him as the savior and the light to the gentiles. 

Also in this gospel episode, we hear of Simeon’s beautiful prayer where he tells God that now, he can dismiss him and allow him to rest and see death because he has seen God’s salvation with his very own eyes. This prayer is beautiful because it is a prayer of surrender; a prayer where death is lovingly embraced and asked for, because one has seen the Lord’s salvation. This prayer, however, is a prayer not many are willing to pray because of fear of death itself. But in Simeon’s case, death becomes meaningful because he has seen the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness.  

This feast of the presentation centers on a basic theme: surrender. The law prescribes that every first born male is dedicated or “ surrendered” to the Lord because the Lord claims all of them to be his. Every infant who is dedicated to God, is lifted up towards God – a gesture of giving up or surrendering the child to God. 

Simeon’s prayer is also one of surrender. It is a prayer of surrender where Simeon implores the Lord to now let him go in peace; a prayer which tells God that there is nothing else as important as meeting the Lord in death, where he would finally encounter the God who has been good and faithful. 

Let us in our own capacity, offer up ourselves to God and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to him who has been good and faithful to us. Surrendering our lives totally to him and placing our entire lives in his care would perhaps be the best thing one could ever choose to do in this life.

Prayer

Lord, you as the only son of the Father know too well what it means to be dedicated to him. You have dedicated your entire life doing the Father’s will, placing everything in his care. Teach me to surrender my life to you, Jesus, so I may understand the gladness and peace that surrounds all those who have placed all their trust in you. Amen.

“Surrender your heart to God,
    turn to him in prayer,
¹⁴ and give up your sins—
    even those you do in secret.
¹⁵ Then you won’t be ashamed;
you will be confident
    and fearless. “  - Job 11: 13 - 25